Rotary engine.



No. 764,465. .PATENTED JULY 5, 1904.

U. [-IEIQTDRIGKS. ROTARY ENGINE.

. APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 11, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

HVVENTOR I WITNESSES UNITED? STATES Patented July 5, 1904.

PATENT rrrcE.

CLARK HENDRICKS, OF RIVERSIDE. CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN JAHN, JR, ()F RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA.

ROTARY ENGIN E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 764,465, dated July 5, 1904,

Application filed November 11, 1902. $erial No. 180,854. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARK HENDRICKS, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Riverside, county of Riverside, State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotary Engines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a motor or engine embodying the principle of my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View taken centrally through the blades and the casing; and Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the rotative parts, the shell or casing being removed.

The object of this invention is to provide an extremely simple, durable, and eflicient rotary engine which may be operated as a retary pump or compressor, as more fully hereinafter set forth. 0

Generally the invention in its preferred form consists of a spherical casing in which is rotatably mounted a centrally-arranged sphere and between the sphere and easing a pair of approximately hemispherical pistons or shells, which nicely fit the spherical wall of the casing and the exterior of the central sphere and are arranged out of alinement with each other at opposite sides of the sphere, so that their circular edges or plane surfaces shall bear against each other at one point in their circumference, and thereby form a fluidchamber extending entirely around the casing and tapering in opposite directions from a point opposite the point of contact of the edges, and a series of blades or partitions resting on the sphere and having their side edges engaging and working in slots in the said faces or edges of the hemispherical pistons, and a suitable shaft or shafts centrally attached to the hemispherical pistons and journaled in the casing, whereby when a suitable motive fluid is admitted into the peculiarlyshaped fluid-chamber the pressure of thefluid upon the blades and the inclined edges of the hemispherical pistons will impart a continuous rotary movement to the hemispherical pistons and carry with them the blades, thereby transmittingsaid motion of the hemispherical pistons to the shaft or shafts. When the device is used as a pump or an air-eomprcssm', power is applied to one or both of said shafts, and as the parts rotate the liquid or air is drawn in at one side of the motor and forced out at the opposite side or some other convenient point, as more fully hereinafter set forth.

Referring to the drawings by letters, a des ignates the spherical casing, which may be suitably supported and may be constructed of two or more parts separably fastened together for convenience.

The letter 7) designates the two approximately hemispherical pistons inclosed within the casing and having their convex surfaces nicely fitting the same, these pistons being attached centrally to shafts o, journalcd in the casing. The shafts are journaled at an angle to each other, so that their axial lines shall intersect at the center of the casing, whereby the hemispherical pistons shall lie at an angle to each other out of alinemont. Supported within and nicely fitting the concavities in the said hemispherical pistons is the rotatable sphere (Z. and resting loosely on this sphere are a series of radial segmental plates or partitions )5, whose outer edges are curved. so as to fit nicely against the interior of the casing and whose inner edges are curved to nicely lit the surface of the sphere.

The adjacent faces or edges (Z of the hemispherical pistons bare beveled ofl outwardly, so that they may lit and bear against each other at one point in their circumference, this point being designated in the drawingsby the letter (Z and being equidistant from the two shafts c c. The bevel-faces of the pistons may be provided with bevel'teeth or other intermcshing projections c in order that the two pistons shall always rotate in unison. Coincident with each blade or partition the edge of each part b is provided with a radial slot into which one side edge of the blade extends and works as the pistons rcvolvc,each of these slots being of a width to freely [it the blades at their outer edges and being widened into a dovetail shape in the direction of their depth,

slide freely in and out of the slots and permit the bevel-faces (Z to assume varying angles to the blades as the latter move away from or approach the point of contact (Z.

The partitions are slidable freely on the sphere, and to prevent them leaving the slots when at the wider points of separation of the pistons they are each slightly enlarged or provided with lateral projections at their side edges, as at 6 It is understood that packings and stufling-boxes are to be used wherever found desirable.

If steam or other motive fluid be admitted to the fluid-chamber at one side of the con tact-point (Z, the pressure against the partitions and the inclined faces of the pistons will cause the pistons to rotate, and as each partition passes the inlet-port the motive fluid will be cut off from the preceding compartment and (when the fluid is of an expansive nature) allowed to work by expansion alone or (when of an inexpansive nature) by momentum until exhausted or forced out. It will be seen that the fluid-chamber always remains of the same cubic area and formation, while the superficial pressure area of each of the partitions is constantly increasing until a point in the compartment midway between the partitions is directly opposite the division-line cl, where the exhaust begins totake place. It will be further seen that the blades 7) not only have a sliding and oscillating connection with the ball, but also have a sliding and pivotal or oscillating connection with each of the Y pistons, so that they are entirely free to assurne varying angles as the pistons rotate.

It is obvious that any suitable arrangement of ports may be employed, one possible arrangement being illustrated in Fig. 2. By closing cocks 2 3 4 and opening cocks 5, 6, and 7 and adjusting the three-Way valve 1 so that the motive fluid will enter the engine through pipe g the steam or other fluid will enter the fluid-chamber just to the left of the contact-point (Z and cause the pistons to revolve, the main exhaust taking place through valve 5 and the auxiliary exhaust through valves 6 and 7. these latter outlets being simply to prevent compression of any of the motive fluid that may remainin the compartments after the rear partitions of each compartment passes the main exhaust-point, it being obvious that a free outlet must be provided for each of the compartments during the period it is decreasing in sizethat is, while it is moving toward the pointd. To reverse the motor, it is simply necessary to adjust valve 1 so as to direct the motive fluid through pipe 9 into the engine in the right side of the con tact-point CZ, close valves 5, 6, and 7 and open valves 2, 3, and 4.

To use the engine as a compressor or pump, adjust valve 1 to admit fluid to pipe open valves 2, 3, and 4, close valves 5 and 6, and

apply power to one or both the shafts, whereupon the air or otherfluid will be drawn in and compressed and forced out through valve 7.

It is of course understood that any other suitable arrangement of valves and ports may be used to adapt the apparatus for use as either a reversible or non-reversible engine or compressor or pump and that therefore the arrangement as I have shown is only suggestive of the many arrangements 1 may finally adopt. It is further obvious that the power may be taken off from or applied to one or both the shafts, thoughI have shown but one shaft provided with a band-wheel it. When but one shaft is to be used as a power-shaft, the other one may simply be a stub shaft stepped in a bearing formed in or secured to the interior wall of the casing and need not extend out through the same. It is obvious also that a great many other changes in the construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention in the least, and Imay state that I have in mind a number of modifications and minor changes that may be resorted to to render the apparatus particularly suitable to special uses and especially with regard to rendering it reversible as well as convertible.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a spherical casing, provided with inlet and outlet ports, a pair of hemispherical pistons fitting Within the casing and arranged at opposite sides thereof and having their edges or perimeters beveled outward and their inner faces provided with concavities, a sphere fitting and rotating in said con cavities, a series of radial plates or partitions resting loosely on the sphere and working in coincident slots in said beveled perimeters or edges and provided with means for preventing their withdrawal from said slots, said perimeters or edges coming in contact at one point in their circumference and being separated throughout the remainder of their circumference, thereby forming an oppositelytapering fluid chamber across which the the blades or partitions extend and form compartments, and a power-shaft attached to one of said hemispherical pistons and extending out through the casing, for the purposes set forth.

2. In combination with a casing provided with suitable inlet and outlet ports, a pair of rotatable hemispherical pistons fitting within the casing and arranged at opposite sides thereof and at an angle to each other, an independent rotatable sphere fitting and working within concavities formed in the inner i faces of said hemispherical pistons, and a series of rigid radial blades resting loosely on the sphere and extending across the annular space formed between the edges of said hemispherical pistons and having a sliding and oscillating connection with both pistons and thereby dividing the annular space into fluideompartments, and a power-shaft connected of rigid spaced radial blades resting loosely on the rotatable part and restingloosely on the sphere and extending across the annular space formed between the edges of said heads and dividing the same into fluid-compartmcnts, and a rotatablepower-shaft connected to one of said heads, substantially as set forth.

4. In combination with a casing provided with suitable inlet and outlet ports, a pair of rotatable heads or pistons fitting within the casing at opposite sides thereof and having their axes of rotation and their adjacent edges at an angle to each other, arotatable part between said two heads at their centers and rotatable therewith, a series of spaced radial blades extending across the oppositely -taporing annular space formed between the edges of said heads and dividing the same into fluid-compartments, said blades extending into slots in the edges of said heads so as to have a sliding connection therewith, means for preventing said, blades being withdrawn from said slots and a power-shaft connected i.

to at least one of said heads, substantially as set forth.

5. A rotary engine, the combination of retating heads having abutting conical faces, a rotatable part between said heads, a casing in Which said heads rotate, radial slots in said heads, enlarged in the direction of their depth, a rigid blade fitting in each pair of oppositc slots and serving to connect said heads and resting loosely upon said rotatable part, and suitable ports in the casing between the heads.

6. In combination with a casing provided with suitable inlet and outlet ports, a pair of rotatable pistons fitting within the casing at opposite sides thereof and having their axes of rotation and their adjacent edges at an angle to each other, a rotatable part between said two pistons at their centers, a series of radial blades extending across the oppositelytapering annular space formed between the edges of said pistons and dividing said space into fluid-compartments said blades extending into slots in the edges of said pistons and having a sliding connection therewith, the edges of these blades lying in the slots being provided with lateral projections to prevent Withdrawal from the slots, and a power-shaft connected to at least one of said pistons.

7 In a rotary engine, the combination of a pair of rotatable heads having abutting conical faces, a casing in which said heads rotate, radial slots in" said heads, a blade fitting within each pair of opposite slots and serving to connect said heads, means for preventing the withdrawal of the blades from the slots, ports in said casing between the heads, and journals for said heads.

8. In a rotary engine, the combination of a casing provided with ports, a pair of rotating disks or pistons having: bearings at opposite sides of the casing, the adjacent faces and the axes of said pistons being set at an angle to each other, the adjacent faces abutting at one point on a radial line, thereby forming an annular oppositely-tapering fluidehamber, a rotatable part centrally between the pistons and a series of radial blades dividing said annular chamber into eompartments, each blade having a movable connection with one of the pistons and a pivotal and sliding connection with the opposite piston, and a power-shaft connected with one of the disks.

9. In a rotary engine, the combination of a casing provided with ports, a pair of rotating disks or pistons having bearings at opposite sides of the casing, the adjacent faces and the axes of said pistons being set at an angle to each other, the adjacent faces abutting at one point on a radial line, thereby forming an annular oppositely-tapering fluid-chamber, a rotatable part centrally between the pistons and a series of radial blades dividing said annular chamber into compartments, said blades resting loosely on said rotatable part and having a pivotal and sliding connection with both pistons, and a power-shaft connected with at least one of the pistons.

10. In an engine of the class described, the combination, of a casing provided with inlet and exhaust ports, a pair of rotatable pistons journaled within the casing and, having their adjacent faces and axes set at an angle to each other, said adjacent faces abutting on a radial line, a rotatable part arranged centrally between the pistons and having a rotatable bearing in at least one of the pistons, and a series of rigid blades extending across the fluid-chamber formed between the pistons and resting loosely on the rotatable part and having a movable connection with each piston, said connection permitting the blades to change their angular relation to the faces of the pistons as they rotate.

11. In an engine of the class described, the combination, of a casing provided with inlet and exhaust ports, a pair of rotatable pistons journaled within the casing and having their adjacent faces and axes set at an angle to each other, said adjacent faces abutting on a radial line, arotatable' part arranged centrally between the pistons andhaving a rotatable bearing in at least one of the pistons, and a series of rigid blades extending across the fluid-chamber formed between the pistons and resting loosely on the rotatable part and having a movable connection With each piston, said connection permitting the blades to change their angular relation to the faces of the pistons as they rotate, and positive means for causing the pistons to rotate in unison.

In testiniony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature, in the presence of two Witnesses, this 6th clay of November, 1902.

CLARK HENDRICKS.

' Witnesses:

C. H. BASHAW, n. STUDABECKER. 

